Washington County Search and Rescue receives $14,000 via golf fundraiser

Washington County Sheriff Cory Pulsipher (far left) and Sgt. Darrell Cashin (far right) join with Search and Rescue volunteers in accepting a $14,000 donation from Findlay Automotive, St. George, Utah, June 21, 2018 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News

ST. GEORGE — Washington County Sheriff’s Office personnel and search and rescue volunteers visited the Findlay Subaru dealership Thursday to accept a donation of more than $14,000.

The money was raised during Findlay Automotive’s eighth annual charity golf tournament held June 1 at The Ledges Golf Club.

Read more: Findlay Automotive raises $14,000 for Washington County Search and Rescue

Dave Gourley, general manager of Findlay Subaru, said this year’s golf tournament had nearly 100 participants, and that more than 50 local sponsors donated some 200 prizes toward the fundraiser.

L-R: Washington County Sheriff’s Sgt. Darrell Cashin, Undersheriff James Standley and Sheriff Cory Pulsipher listen to remarks from Findlay Subaru manager Dave Gourley during the presentation of a $14,000 donation from Findlay Automotive to Washington County Search and Rescue, St. George, Utah, June 21, 2018 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News

As he formally accepted the check for $14,010.55 from Gourley, Washington County Sheriff Cory Pulsipher expressed appreciation for the support Findlay and other sponsors have given to the search and rescue volunteers over the years.

Washington County, which conducted 102 searches and rescues last year, is already ahead of that pace this year, Pulsipher said.

“We’re already at 66 calls this year, so we’re ahead of what the average has been for the last few years, which have been busy. I mean, we’re averaging a call almost every three days, and these guys continue to come out and give of their time and their expertise.

“Quite honestly, we couldn’t do this without the volunteers, with the amount of time and equipment money of their own that they put into it.”

Search and Rescue Commander Joe McArthur, who works as a crane operator in his regular job, explained how the donation money helps the county’s SAR program, which numbers around 80 trained volunteers.

“In the old days we used to buy all of our own equipment. The volunteers paid for everything on their own. They bought their own fuel and everything else,” McArthur said, adding that the donated money helps upgrade or replace worn-out equipment and supplies.

Washington County Search and Rescue commander Joe McArthur is interviewed by Colleen Chandler Rue of Planet 94.1 radio station, following the presentation of a $14,000 donation check from Findlay Automotive, St. George, Utah, June 21, 2018 | Photo by Jeff Richards, St. George News

“It takes some of the burden off of the volunteers that have spent so much of their own time and effort.

Sgt. Darrell Cashin of Washington County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Division, agreed.

“If  weren’t for Findlay, the civic groups and the other sponsors, we would not be able to provide a lot of the gear that we do provide, and the training that we provide for the search and rescue members so they can be safe.”

“We do get a budget from the county, but obviously it’s not going to cover everything that we do. So this is a huge help.”

“The support from the community is amazing,” Pulsipher said in agreement. “I can’t tell them thanks enough. This (money) actually coming from the community helps send that message of how much we appreciate the volunteers and what they provide to our community.”

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2018, all rights reserved.

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